I will be interning at the Royal Danish Embassy in London from February 1 to July 31, 2022.
I will be affiliated with the Invest in Denmark (IDK) department, whose primary task is to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) to Denmark.
My interest in diplomacy has evolved over the last 3-4 years. Being part of the IBP programme at CBS has significantly deepened my interest in this field, as it has introduced me to a variety of perspectives. Initially, I thought I would be working as a consultant for a private company, but the interdisciplinary nature of the IBP programme made me realise the potential of combining business and politics. As a result, I became more curious about the work done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the Trade Council which deals with the aspects of trade. After two semesters, I was ready to take on a student job and I applied to different companies/organizations. Coincidentally, a fellow student made me aware of an internship position at the US Embassy in Copenhagen (for which I am still grateful), as her employment was coming to an end and they were looking for a replacement. I applied and I got the position which kick-started my journey into the field of diplomacy.
The duration of the internship was originally set for six months, but due to COVID-19, I ended up staying at the US Embassy for a full year. I was happy about the extension since I enjoyed my time there and had the opportunity to witness the 2020 US presidential election from the inside. Eventually, the internship came to an end after one year, and I found myself out of the realm of diplomacy again.
I pursued other endeavours and time passed by. In the spring of 2021, I became aware of the internship opportunities through the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as my former tutors were getting these internships. The experience of living abroad sparked by interest, especially after my exchange semester to Melbourne, Australia, was canceled due to the corona pandemic. I reached out to the ministry to learn more about the process of applying the internship and received useful insights.
At this point in time – it was spring 2021 – the deadlines for applying to the fall semester was approaching. I managed to send a few applications and was invited to an interview at the Danish Embassy in Washington DC. I did not get an offer which was extremely frustrating in the moment because I was highly motivated and it was precisely the opportunity I wanted to do. I said to myself that I would follow my dream and apply next time. In the meantime, before the next deadline, I prepared to enhance my chances of securing an internship.
And yes, I was much better prepared during my second application attempt. I had done my research and had written my applications well in advance. I received an overwhelming response, and ultimately chose to intern at Invest in Denmark (IDK) at the Danish Embassy in London, United Kingdom. Although there were some hurdles along the way, I am now incredibly excited to be back in the field of diplomacy, again.
However, this does not mean that I am automatically ready to start; quite the contrary. There have been numerous email correspondences with the embassy, the process of getting the security clearance (which was not a problem since I obtained one for the US Embassy as well), finding accommodation in London, and applying for scholarships and a UK Visa (not smoothly done with the aftermaths of Brexit and COVID-19, but that is another story).
If you have read to this far, you are probably interested in pursuing a similar path. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this matter.
Below are some relevant links:
https://um.dk/en/ – Just read about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark to determine whether the organisation is something for you. You find the application form to the different internship positions on the specific embassy websites.
https://um.dk/en/about-us/organisation/find-us-abroad/ – Most representations offer internships. If you are motivated to experience what it is like working for Denmark abroad, then apply.
Another advice is to talk to friends and family. Always. Talk to them and ask about their opinions. Reach out to someone who has practical experience and ask about their advice. See if you know someone in your network, if not, you could try message someone on LinkedIn.
Honestly, it has been quite a journey to get to where I am today. However, the effort is definitely worthwhile as it enabled me to live abroad in London, where I experienced diverse cultures, improved my English, met inspiring people from all over the world, expanded my personal and professional network, gained valuable insights into working at a Danish Embassy, acquired professional work experience, explored new ways of thinking, and was challenged on my own own values, among other things.
I wish you the best of luck on your own journey, and remember to enjoy the process!